WIC Works Resource System
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Because diabetes can cause problems during pregnancy for women and their developing babies, managing diabetes is important for both the mother and child.
November is National Diabetes Month, an opportunity for WIC staff to help raise awareness and understanding of diabetes management and prevention, and the consequences of unmanaged diabetes.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reviews diabetes basics on their site (also available in Spanish), offering:
- A general overview of diabetes
- A National Diabetes Month 2023 page with resources and a toolkit providing a flyer (also available in Spanish) and social media posts and graphics
- Specifics on type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, including prevention and how diabetes can affect mom and baby
This site also includes information for those diagnosed with diabetes, such as:
- Pregnancy if you have Diabetes, which covers how diabetes can affect mom and baby and how people with diabetes can prepare for pregnancy
- Actions for after the baby is born for the health of both mom and baby
- Preventing Type 2 Diabetes for those diagnosed with prediabetes, mothers who had gestational diabetes, and children of mothers who had gestational diabetes
- Diabetes Diet, Eating & Physical Activity which includes foods and beverages to choose and limit, meal timing for diabetes management, and more
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also offers information on diabetes meal planning, eating out and diabetes and cultural foods to make healthier choices, recommendations to be prepared in case of an emergency or disaster, and other resources (many available in Spanish), including:
- An online Prediabetes Risk Test (with a Spanish version available)
- Information on Testing for Diabetes (also available in Spanish)
- Information on Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) services (also available in Spanish)
CDC's Native Diabetes Wellness Program provides:
- A colorful book series (Eagle Books) for kids to encourage healthy living
- A toolkit with creative resources to reinforce Eagle Books type 2 diabetes prevention messages
- Educational materials that include posters with culturally relevant images and messages, and videos to promote diabetes prevention
- Stories about traditional foods programs, cultural identity and the importance of food safety and preservation
Learn more about how breastfeeding may lower the risk for developing type 2 diabetes for women with gestational diabetes.
Education Materials
My Native Plate, Diabetes Basics, and other downloadable education materials are available from the Indian Health Service.
A Healthy Pregnancy for Women With Diabetes
Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
FAQs that cover what diabetes is, how it can affect pregnancy and the baby, how pregnancy can affect glucose levels, medications, breastfeeding, exercise, and more.
Am I at Risk for Gestational Diabetes? (available in Spanish)
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
A handout for use with participants on gestational diabetes that covers general information on gestational diabetes, who is at risk, getting tested, what gestational diabetes means for the mother and fetus, and action steps if diagnosed. Also available from this source is the handout, Managing Gestational Diabetes (available in English).
